Valley Avenue Apartment Complex Receives Final Scoping Document
By Doug La Rocque
Two weeks ago the developers of the highly controversial Valley Avenue Apartment Complex presented the Brunswick Planning Board with their draft scoping document. This was for the required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as required by law, since the Planning Board found many provisions in the State Environmental Quality Review document to have a moderate to significant environmental impacts.
On Thursday, December 6, the Board returned that 8 page document to David Leon, expanded now to 13 pages of instructions of what they want to see addressed in the EIS. These points include surface water impact, noise, character of the community and in particular, traffic. It may take upwards of a year for Mr. Leon’s representatives to return the EIS to the Board.
Traffic Study
Part of the scoping document requires some extensive research as to the project’s impact along Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7) between Hillcrest Avenue and Killock Avenue, including the intersection with Woodward and the crossroad, Ridgewood Avenue. At the public hearing conducted on the project, traffic congestion was one of the points most spoken about.
The developer is requesting the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) put a traffic light at the corner of Hoosick Road and Hillcrest Avenue, and points to a 2000-2001 traffic study that suggests that. Area residents were quick to point out this traffic study of the Route 7 corridor was 18 years old, and much of the development that currently exists along Route 7 was not there at that time. The Eastwick Press asked Planning Board Engineer Wayne Bonesteel if a new study was part of the final scoping document. He indicated no, because the Planning Board does not have the authority to order such. The Town Board would have to request a new traffic study from the Capital District Transportation Committee, (CDTC) who has the authority to make the request of DOT and the funds to pay for it. The Eastwick Press then asked Brunswick Supervisor Phil Herrington if the Town would entertain such a request of the CDTC, who replied he could not give a definitive answer at this point, but that it would certainly be a discussion for the Board to have during the coming weeks.
A Quiet Night Otherwise
Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a public hearing on a minor subdivision proposed by Karen Dujack for property at 336 Town Office Road. Ms. Dujack is requesting to create three building lots, all in the two-acre plus size, from a 16 acre plot. There were no speakers, and the board approved the request with minor conditions.
The Board also approved the waiver of a subdivision for Robert Irwin for property at 269 Menemsha Lane, again with minor conditions.